Common Misconceptions About Cancer

Cancer: the disease of our age. The reason it poses such a significant threat to humanity is that we know so little about it. While research is quickly addressing this gap, correcting the misconceptions about cancer in society is not easy.

Here are 11 common misconceptions about cancer.

1- Stress and sadness cause cancer.

There is no study that shows stress and sadness cause cancer. The immune system plays a crucial role in cancer development and the treatment of diagnosed patients. However, there is no evidence that positive thinking can defeat or treat cancer, nor that being very depressed, stressed, or having bad life experiences leads to a higher incidence of certain cancers.

2- Biopsies accelerate cancer.

Biopsies are essential procedures for diagnosing disease and planning treatment. Patients sometimes fear that performing a biopsy will cause the disease to worsen or spread, but there are no scientific studies supporting these fears. These concerns are therefore baseless. Neither open surgical biopsies nor needle biopsies cause the spread or worsening of cancer. Especially in recent years, advancements and new technologies in cancer surgery have enabled better results by directly accessing tumors.

3- External factors like hair dye and perfumes cause cancer.

We know that all kinds of toxic substances have negative effects on our cells and DNA. Therefore, the more we avoid toxic substances, the healthier we will live. However, there is no research showing a direct relationship between cosmetic products like hair dyes and deodorants and specific types of cancer. On the other hand, we know that certain chemicals, especially tobacco, increase cancer risk. Outside of tobacco, we also know that some industrial products, including asbestos and petroleum products, raise cancer risk. However, it has not been scientifically proven that commercially sold cosmetic products cause cancer.

4- Cancer patients must be hospitalized for treatment.

Cancer treatment is a lengthy process. The goal is for patients undergoing cancer surgery to stay in the hospital for as short a time as possible. A certain period is required for the healing of tissues affected by surgical intervention and for the patient to recover enough to return home. With the cancer surgeries performed in recent years, the length of hospital stay has decreased, and patients can return to their daily lives more quickly than before. If the patient's general condition is stable, both radiotherapy and chemotherapy can continue without hospitalization. Radiotherapy can be planned so that patients come to the treatment center once a day and return home without being admitted. Many patients can receive chemotherapy treatments without being hospitalized and return home afterward.

5- You cannot return to work after cancer.

Today, many cancer patients can be promised a life expectancy equal to that of their peers after treatment is completed. For example, in breast cancer, under certain conditions, the likelihood of the disease not returning after treatment is very high. What are "these certain conditions"? Especially in cases of breast cancer detected at an early stage, where the tumor is quite small and has not spread to the lymph nodes under the arm… In thyroid and skin cancers, complete treatment can be achieved. Moreover, thanks to newly developed oral cancer medications, patients can continue their daily activities and maintain their quality of life while working. Therefore, many cancer patients can lead a normal private and professional life.

6- One must go abroad for successful cancer treatment.

In Turkey, cancer treatment can be planned and carried out with the same effectiveness and low side effects as in developed countries at reputable cancer centers. In fact, patients from foreign countries come to Turkey for treatment. Additionally, some centers in Turkey participate in internationally conducted clinical trials, allowing eligible patients to benefit from newly developed drugs.

7- A cancer patient’s child will also have cancer.

It is known that some types of cancer are hereditary. By tracing the family tree of certain families, similar types of cancer can be found. The most well-known among these is breast cancer. However, only 5% to 8% of all breast cancers are hereditary. In the family tree of one out of 13 to 14 breast cancer patients, there may be traces of breast cancer. Except in very special cases, there is no rule that the child of a parent with cancer will also develop cancer.

8- It is possible to overcome cancer with positive thinking.

While positive thinking is extremely important in cancer treatment, it is not sufficient on its own to defeat the disease. Patients need to have both their physical and mental health integrated and protected. Especially during surgery, drug therapy, and radiotherapy, when the patient's psychological state is good, the outcomes are much better, and patients can tolerate the treatment.

9- The patient should not be told they have cancer.

It is a mistaken belief that withholding the diagnosis from the patient will prevent them from becoming upset or worse. First and foremost, the physician must convey all information requested by the patient. The patient's decisions and preferences are of great importance. It is not right to expect a patient to make decisions without any information. The patient has the right to know their situation and choose the treatment option that is best for them.

10- Cancer spreads when surgery is performed.

Surgery is one of the most effective treatment options for many types of cancer. Surgical outcomes positively influence the clinical results we have as one of our greatest tools in treatment. Removing the diseased organ or tumor significantly increases the patient’s lifespan and meaningfully reduces the risk of the disease returning. Therefore, contrary to the belief that "cancer spreads when the knife touches," one should believe in the idea that "the cancer patient heals when the knife touches," as long as the patient is at a stage where the disease can be removed surgically.

11- Cancer is contagious.

"Cancer" is not a contagious disease like infectious diseases. Therefore, daily close contact with a cancer patient does not pose a risk of contracting cancer. However, there are some types of cancer caused by viruses. The leading example is cervical cancer. The incidence of cervical cancer, which is increased due to infections caused by the sexually transmitted HPV virus, has begun to decline with the introduction of a vaccine in recent years.